The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) is the largest cotton producing company in the country with an 85% market share. It operates in 8 provinces and has 6 ginneries in Gokwe, Chiredzi, Sanyati, Chinhoyi, Muzarabani and Kadoma with a capacity to process 107,000MT of seed cotton per season into lint and ginned seed. The company also owns a delinting plant with a capacity to process 50,000MT of ginned seed.
Cottco administers the Presidential Input Scheme and approximately 400 000 farmers are contracted under the program where they receive a package containing seed, fertiliser and chemicals. Farmers also receive agronomic support from Cottco through Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs). During the Cotton Marketing Season (May-July) Cottco then purchases the seed cotton from farmers at prices that are determined by the Industry and announced by the Agricultural Marketing Authority on behalf of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
Once the seed cotton is received at our ginneries, the lint is separated from the ginned seed and package it for local and export markets. 70% of the lint is exported to Europe, Asia, Far East and Southern Africa while 30% is reserved for the local market. The ginned seed is consumed locally by oil expressers and seed companies.
Cottco is an agent for rural development supporting communities through payments to farmers, transporters, Rural local authorities as well as providing employment to marginalised communities. We also contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by Eradicating poverty, Promoting Economic development and Investing in Social development.